Macrobiotic Diet

The Promise

Call it the pursuit of hippieness. Macrobiotics, with its brown rice, beans, sea vegetables, and Asian yin-yang philosophy of finding balance in life for health and vitality, was the original counterculture diet back in the '60s. It's actually been around much longer than that.

A macrobiotic diet isn't just about your weight -- it's about achieving balance in your life. It promises a healthier, more holistic long-term lifestyle for men, women, and children that encompasses mental outlook as well as food choices. Macrobiotic dieters are encouraged to eat regularly, chew their food extremely well, listen to their bodies, stay active, and maintain a perky, positive mental outlook.

Whole grains, vegetables, and beans are the mainstays of the diet, which some people believe can prevent or treat cancer. While the American Cancer Society stops short of recommending macrobiotic diets to prevent cancer because there's no scientific evidence, it does say that researchers believe eating a plant-based, low-fat, high-fiber diet lowers the risk of heart disease and some kinds of cancer.

What You Can Eat and What You Can't

If you like grains, veggies, and soup, you're in luck.

About 40% to 60% percent of your daily diet should be organically grown whole grains, like brown rice, barley, millet, oats, and corn. Locally grown vegetables make up 20%-30% of your daily total. Five percent to 10% is reserved for beans and bean products like tofu, miso, and tempeh, and sea vegetables like seaweed, nori, and agar.

You can also have fresh fish and seafood, locally grown fruit, pickles, and nuts several times a week. Rice syrup is one of the sweeteners you can have occasionally.

You’re only supposed to drink when you feel thirsty. And spicy stuff is frowned on (no habaneros here!) along with strong alcoholic beverages, soda, coffee, and anything highly refined, processed, or chemically preserved.

Level of Effort: High

The macrobiotic diet will take consistent effort, but it's more flexible than it may seem. Depending on your choices, you can start slow, moving from one level of intensity to the next.